HOOVER, Ala. - It is rare for an Indiana high school football team to meander its way to the Deep South, but with the National Select 7-on-7 being held just outside of Birmingham that is exactly where prospect-heavy Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central finds itself this weekend.

As such, four-star defensive tackle Sheldon Day accompanied his team as a high-profile cheerleader and spectator, and used the free time to take an unofficial trip to visit Auburn with assistant coach Greg Brookey.

"The visit went great," Day said. "It was really nice. The campus was beautiful and the coaches were intelligent."

Day is currently the No. 3 prospect in Indiana and holds offers to more than 20 schools, but he did not add to his tally with his recent trip.

"They didn't offer me today but I felt like they were going to," he said. "They told me they wanted to talk it over with the head coach (Gene Chizik."

With two dozen offers, Day is still working to narrow his list.

"I don't have a top five or anything like that," he said. "I am working to get down to that but I don't know when that is going to be."

He did have a fairly specific list for which teams would get his five official visits, although the visits read like a sports fanatic road trip.

"I visited Minnesota and Northwestern and I really like both of those schools but Western was ideal," he said. "I will get to redshirt and then compete for a starting spot the next year."

Once Maddie arrives on campus he will have a year to learn behind Alex Carder.

"I am a competitor and I want to compete and earn my spot but sitting and learning behind a guy like Alex is great and I can learn so much from him," he said. "I think being prepared to succeed is very important and going to a place where I am able to learn and get stronger and grow with the team and then compete to be the leader on the field is what I wanted."

Maddie is currently working with his head coach, former NFL star Don Beebe, on gaining more speed and strength.

Beebe owns a company called House of Speed that trains athletes in the Chicago area, of which Maddie participates.

"Everyone talks about the speed of the game," Maddie said. "I don't think there is a better person to learn from than a guy who ran a 4.25."

As for his commitment to Western Michigan, he is solid, even if other teams come in.

"I had my chance to look at those schools and I chose Western," he said. "That is where I am going to play college football."

Emerging talent

Brighton (Tenn.) High coach Will Wolfe came to the National Select 7-on-7 a man short.

Ricky Foster, a 6-foot-2 wideout, didn't make the trip because he hurt his knee on the AAU basketball circuit.

"We will get to read the MRI (Friday)," Wolfe said. "It is tough because his recruiting needed a boost and I think he would have showed well out here."

Foster currently has offers from Arkansas State and Murray State but Wolfe thinks his playmaker is destined for more.

"You think you see a kid and you see him on film and you compare him to other guys and you just don't know why teams aren't lined up for them," he said. "I have come to the conclusion that I just don't know what a college football player is."

Grid Bits

Hoover (Ala.) Spain Park defensive back Chris Humes could soon be adding another major SEC offer. According to head coach Chip Lindsey, Alabama is close to offering but wants to wait on Humes' grades to clear.

Prattville (Ala.) High quarterback Jalen Whitlow is currently a verbal commit to Arkansas State but the 6-foot-3 signal caller may be sliding off that pledge, according to his coach, Jaime DuBose. "I would say he is a soft verbal now, but you would have to talk to him, I know that some SEC schools are calling me about him and once those teams call the kids tend to listen."

It is time to add Wake Forest to the list of potential suitors for Mount Ulla (N.C.) West Rowan receiver Jarvis Morgan. Head coach Scott Young said the ACC school is close to offering, or may have already. "I think I got the message mixed up," Young said. "I will be able to tell Jarvis one way or the other tomorrow."

Marietta (Ga.) Lassiter cornerback Niles Clark got his first and only offer early from N.C. State and committed immediately. Despite numerous other coaches calling about the 5-foot-10 prospect, his coach said Clark is solid. "He went up to their spring game and then met with Coach (Tom) O'Brien and he feels very comfortable with everything. They are still recruiting him and doing a great job letting him know they want him and are happy to have him."

N.C. State may not be done in Georgia as Loganville (Ga.) Grayson coach Micky Conn thinks that one of his athletes is close to landing an offer. "They are looking hard at Korey (Jones)." Jones is a 6-foot-2 receiver who is being looked at by other ACC and SEC schools.